Ponting admits he could have handled things in a better way in Sydney Test

Sydney, Jan 10 (ANI): In his attempt to improve the bitter relations between Team India and Kangaroos, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has said that things could have been handled in a better way in the Sydney Test.

Maybe I should have reacted differently here and Michael Clarke might be saying the same thing, and a few of the guys might all be looking at what we’ve done that last game, Ponting said.

He, however, insisted that he did right thing by informing the umpires that Harbhajan had called Symonds a “monkey”.

Ponting also said that he will meet Indian captain Anil Kumble to stop any animosity creeping into the third Test schedule to be played at Perth .

It’s (meeting) going to be very important, he told the Nine Network.

I made that very clear to him at the end of the (Harbhajan) hearing the other night … when we sat down at the end and I had a really good chat with him and the Indian management and the few other players that were there, smh.com.au quoted Ponting, as saying.

It’s not only about Australia, it’s about how it’s being seen in India as well, and as an Australian player and an Australian leader I want to make sure that anyone who’s watching the game really enjoys it, he added.

Acknowledging that the crisis might have been viewed very badly in India , Ponting said he wish that India could regain their enjoyment for matches involving Australia after three days of vitriol directed at his team.

Talking about his own actions, Ponting said he had stood too long at the crease after being given out LBW in the first innings.

There’s no doubt I stood there for a second or two too long and I shouldn’t have done that, he admitted.

It probably didn’t help that I was shown throwing my bat when I got back to the rooms, said Ponting, adding, Some of the guys mightn’t have shaken (Indian skipper Anil) Kumble’s hand after the game but we were so wrapped up with the end of the game that they were already off the field.

Commenting on the issue of apprising the umpires about the Harbhajan’s comments even though Kumble asked him to settle the racial abuse allegation without making a formal complaint, he said: I carried out my duties as captain.

It’s not about me reporting anybody, it’s the umpires’ job to do that and that’s what they did, he added.

Ponting also said that the crisis has taken a toll on his family too.

His wife had been worried by the criticism directed at him, while his parents had changed their telephone number after receiving several abusive calls, Ponting said. (ANI)